Konami: Metal Gear Series Can Continue Without Kojima

Despite recent reports that Konami is scaling back its efforts in the console space, the Japanese publisher has come forward to deny such claims, while also speaking to the viability of the Metal Gear Solid franchise without series creator Hideo Kojima at the helm.

In an interview with Game On Daily (via Videogamer), Konami community manager Graham Day was asked whether or not the Metal Gear franchise could continue with Kojima, to which he replied: "Yeah, course it can. Metal Gear is about the story, it's about the characters and I think, yeah..."

Exit Theatre Mode

Day then cited the studio's collaboration with PlatinumGames as a successful use of the brand. "Look at things like Metal Gear Rising. That was an example of the title being taken in a new direction by separate teams with obviously hands-in from other parties," he said. "And that was in itself a very, very good game as well, and that was obviously led by a completely different team."

With regard to Konami's commitment to making more triple-A console games in the future, Day confirmed that Konami's stance has not wavered. "Don't believe everything you read in the press," he said. "That's never changed. Things have been taken out of context but that's never changed."

Exit Theatre Mode

Do you think the Metal Gear Solid franchise should continue even if Hideo Kojima isn't at the helm? Let us know in the comments.

Alex Osborn is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.